THE Six Nations is BACK for another year of action – and France are looking to retain their crown.
side get rolling by hosting 2023 & 2024’s back-to-back champions at Stade de France.
Karl Dickson will take charge of France vs Ireland in the Six NationsCredit: AFP
Dickson famously sent Dan Cole to the sin-bin during his final appearance in the PREM finalCredit: The Times
will be full of confidence ahead of the tie, having
major injury crisis will fill the home side with confidence, as THREE looseheads props have dropped due to injury, with a whole host of other absentees around the pitch.
Two of the more notable names are Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan, both , with the latter infamously scoring a controversial try to
SunSport can reveal who the referee for France vs Ireland Karl Dickson is, and everything you need to know about the official.
Who is rugby referee Karl Dickson?
Karl Dickson is 43-year-old referee from Salisbury, England.
Dickson played as a scrum-half during his playing career, which started at Bedford Blues, before he switched to Harlequins in 2009.
His spell at Bedford lasted from 2001 to 2009, firstly spending four years in the academy, before playing as a senior between 2004-2009.
His switch to Harlequins saw him win the 2011-12 Premiership title, and make over 100 appearances, although he was mostly second choice behind Danny Care.
During his playing days, Dickson played alongside , and as a referee was , but Dickson did not penalise him during the match.
He began gaining his refereeing qualifications in 2014, and in 2020 became an international referee, when he took charge of France vs Wales at Stade de France.
He returns to Stade de France to kick-off the Six Nations 2026, as France take on Ireland,
Dickson has become an esteemed referee in the Gallagher PREM, and took charge of the 2025 final, in which Bath beat Leicester Tigers.
The former Quin famously sent Dan Cole to the bin with less than 10 minutes on the clock, meaning the prop’s career ended from the sideline.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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